The Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development of the State of Missouri has organized job fairs to assist workers who will be laid off following the closure of the Dexter and Noel facilities by Tyson Foods. On September 12th, 300 workers interacted with 32 prospective employers at a fair in Dexter. A similar event in Noel in early October assisted 500 workers with introductions to 40 employers.
Andrew Bailey, Attorney General of Missouri, has requested Tyson Foods to sell the two processing facilities even to competitors to ensure long-term employment.
The Dexter plant acquired from the Swift Poultry Company opened in the mid-1930s during the Great Depression. The effect of the plant closure in Noel can be judged by the 1,500 workers who will be impacted in a city with a population of 2,100. The Dexter plant closure will affect 700 workers.
In addition to termination of plant workers, the closures will affect growers and the staff of feed mills and hatcheries and companies supplying the two complexes with consumables and services necessary to maintain operations.